Telco and catv conduit sizes

[ka6chp]

Gentlemen: I am doing planning on a new residence, now that I am finally retired from the Electrical Trade, and need some help re: TELCO and CATV Conduit sizes.
1. What size PVC for UG service of Cable TV and Telephone lines ? I am using 4-pair, Cat 5 for internal wiring (TELCO) and RG6/U for TV.
2. Depth below grade ?
3. Can the TELCO and CATV lines be shared with the Electrical (mains) line from the pole to the house ?

Unfortunately, the Cable and Phone companies cannot answer my questions.

Thanks for your help/


Jim Green

 

[480sparky]

1. What size PVC for UG service of Cable TV and Telephone lines ? I am using 4-pair, Cat 5 for internal wiring (TELCO) and RG6/U for TV.

Chapter 9, Table 1, Note 9

2. Depth below grade ?

300.5

3. Can the TELCO and CATV lines be shared with the Electrical (mains) line from the pole to the house ?

300.3(C)(1).

 

[infinity]

1) If the CATV or phone company doesn't have a requirement then use any size conduit that you want. We typically use 1" PVC.
2) Not sure if Table 300.5 applies to these conduits.
3) If using separate conduits they can all occupy the same trench.

 

[peter d]

I'm very surprised that your communications utilities cannot provide these answers, as they all have standards for underground service. :-?

 

[electricalperson]

for commercial we usually run 4 inch conduit for cable and phone and 2 inch for residential this is what the phone and cable companies ask for

 

[brantmacga]

I'm very surprised that your communications utilities cannot provide these answers, as they all have standards for underground service. :-?

Depends on who he talked to. Down here, ask any typical service guy at the local office and they can't tell you a thing. I've met with a few who've been working for the telco's/catv co. for over 20 years, and they can make my head spin with technical data. But generally for an answer to a technical question you have to make your way to the engineering dept.

 

[nakulak]

Telco:

unless I'm mistaken, the answers per NEC are as follows (check your local codes):

TELCO

article 800

1) any size that works for your phone co
2) any depth (article 800 doesn't specify, but as a practical matter to avoid damage, rule of thumb using 300.5 is probably a good idea, unless of course local codes supercede NEC)
3) violation 800.47 A unless there is a barrier


CATV

article 820

1) any size
2) any depth
3) 820.47 A unless barrier

 

[ka6chp]

They have a fixation with direct-burial cable.

 

[tkb]

If you go to the expense of trenching, why go with a small conduit?
I would go at least 2" for residential and 4" for commercial.